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heredity |
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heredity /he·red·i·ty/ (-te) 1. the genetic transmission of a particular quality or trait from parent to offspring. 2. the genetic constitution of an individual.
heredity [həred′itē] Etymology: L, hereditas, inheritance 1 the process by which particular traits or conditions are genetically transmitted from parents to offspring, causing resemblance of individuals related by descent. It involves the separation and recombination of genes during meiosis and fertilization and the further interaction of developmental influences and genetic material during embryogenesis. 2 the total genetic constitution of an individual; the sum of the qualities inherited from ancestors and the potentialities of transmitting these qualities to offspring. heredity, n the passing on from one generation to their offspring of genetic traits or other tendencies. See also constitution, disposition, terrain, and trait. heredity (hered´itē), n the inheritance of resemblance, physical qualities, or disease from a familial predecessor; the passage of characteristics from one generation to its progeny by genetic linkage. heredity the transmission of genetic traits from parents to offspring. The hereditary material is DNA in the ovum and sperm, so that the offspring's heredity is determined at the moment of conception. Inside the nucleus of each germ cell are structures called chromosomes. A chromosome is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which is associated with histone proteins. Genes are segments of the DNA molecule; there are an estimated 100,000 genes in each cell. Most genes carry code for a specific protein which may be recognized as a specific hereditary trait. These traits are physical, biochemical and physiological. Thus genes affect not only the physical appearance of an animal but also its behavior, physiological makeup, its tendency to develop certain diseases, and the daily activities of all the cells of its body. See also inheritance. heredity The transmission of characteristics from one generation to the next. See Progeny. Cf Congenital. Patient discussion about Heredity, Historical Perspective. Q. What pattern of heredity does diabetes follow? I know that baldness comes from your mother's father. How does diabetes travel through generations? A. Ninety percent of children who develop type 1 diabetes actually have no relative with the disease. But it’s an auto immune disease. That means that some people are in risk of getting diabetes type 1. Depends on the immune system they inherited. It’s not “recessive” or “dominant”, if your parent has type 1 – you have a 25% chance of getting the risk factor. Read more or ask a question about Heredity, Historical PerspectiveHow to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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hereditary renal adysplasia hereditary sensory neuropathy hereditary spherocytosis hereditary spinal ataxia hereditary thrombophilia hereditary tyrosinemia heredity Heredity, Historical Perspective heredo- heredofamilial heredomacular degeneration Hereford Herellea Hering's law of cure Hering's nerve |
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